IIT Roorkee and ISS, Erasmus University, Forge Global Partnership for Inclusive Innovation

Roorkee, Uttarakhand, September 30, 2025 : The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands, have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of development studies, frugal innovation, and technology-driven solutions for inclusive growth.

The MoU was formally signed by Prof. (Dr.) Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, and Prof. Ruard Ganzevoort, Rector, ISS, with Prof. (Dr.) Peter Knorringa representing Prof. Ganzevoort at the ceremony. The delegation also included Prof. (Dr.) Cees Van Beers, Co-Director of the International Centre for Frugal Innovation & Professor, TU Delft.

Prof. Ruard Ganzevoort, Rector, ISS, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “At ISS, we believe that academic knowledge must connect with real-world challenges. This partnership with IIT Roorkee will bring together social science perspectives and technological expertise to deliver innovative solutions for global and local communities.”

Prof. Peter Knorringa, representing ISS at the signing, added, “Frugal innovation is about doing more with less for many. By working together, we can advance research and practice that creates tangible social impact and builds capacity at the grassroots.”

Prof. Cees Van Beers highlighted the global dimension of the collaboration, “This partnership strengthens the network of European and Indian institutions committed to sustainable innovation. Together, we will design joint research, student and faculty exchanges, and thematic workshops to address pressing societal challenges.”

The collaboration is designed to go beyond academia, engaging with government agencies, civil society, and community-based organizations to develop evidence-based, practical interventions. Areas of focus include sustainable development, frugal innovation, and community-centered engineering.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “This MoU reflects our commitment to bridging technology and society. By collaborating with ISS, we aim to co-create pathways that will empower communities through sustainable and frugal innovation, ultimately contributing to India’s and the world’s journey towards inclusive development.”

This MoU marks a milestone in IIT Roorkee’s global engagement strategy, reinforcing its commitment to integrating academic excellence with social responsibility and sustainable impact. More than an agreement, it reflects a shared commitment to shaping knowledge that serves society. By linking social sciences with engineering and technology, this collaboration will empower students, researchers, and communities to co-create solutions for global challenges while deepening India–Netherlands academic and cultural ties.